Carlos Valderrama

Colombian soccer fans began waving their yellow, red and blue flags, singing and dancing more than an hour before game time. They were here for a show and the Colombian players obliged. After a tentative start, Colombia toyed with Northern Ireland in a 2-0 exhibition victory before 21,153 Friday at Foxboro Stadium. "We appreciated the support," coach Francisco Maturana said. "It made the players feel at home." Colombia, which will play in the United States' group when the World Cup begins June 17, used the soft, pinpoint passes of Carlos Valderrama in midfield to keep possession.

Three New Britain Rock Cats and four Norwich Navigators were named to the Eastern League All-Star Game Northern Division roster Thursday. Infielder Danny Matienzo, outfielder Doug Deeds and lefthander Jason Miller were selected from the Rock Cats, while the Navigators will send righthanders Chris Begg and Merkin Valdez and outfielders Dan Ortmeier and Carlos Valderrama. The EL's All-Star Game is July 13 at 7 p.m. at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. "It's a great feeling to be selected," Matienzo said before the Rock Cats' 6-4 loss at Binghamton Thursday night.

Carlos Valderrama, one of the world's best passers and the all-time Major League Soccer assist leader, will be in New Britain Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Mutiny play the Connecticut Wolves in the second round of the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup. The tournament is one of soccer's brilliant eccentricities, in which every club in the nation gets a chance to win, essentially, the national championship. That's what brings Valderrama and his teammates to Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britain (7:30 p.m.)

Carlos Valderrama, one of the world's best passers and the all-time Major League Soccer assist leader, will be in New Britain Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Mutiny play the Connecticut Wolves in the second round of the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup. The tournament is one of soccer's brilliant eccentricities, in which every club in the nation gets a chance to win, essentially, the national championship. That's what brings Valderrama and his teammates to Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britain (7:30 p.m.)

Mexican star Jorge Campos started his evening with a terrific goal, then allowed four goals in 32 minutes as the Eastern Conference rallied to defeat the Western Conference 5-4 in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game at Giants Stadium Wednesday night. Campos, a World Cup goalkeeper who doubles as a striker, made the first half memorable with a goal in the 44th minute, but when he took over for Mark Dodd in the West goal with 32 minutes remaining, it was his turn to be on the wrong end. Giuseppe Galderisi, Robert Warzycha and Richie Williams beat Campos between the 63rd and 70th minutes, but it wasn't until Brian McBride scored with two minutes left that the game was decided.

Until Thursday afternoon, everything was going better than even the eternally optimistic Maurizio Rocha could have expected. He had turned pro because Major League Soccer expanded its Pro-40 select program to include college players who are not U.S. citizens. Pro-40 players do not count against MLS roster limits, all with the aim of developing them in the league and -- hopefully -- as future U.S. national team players. He played so well with the Miami Fusion in the preseason that coach Ivo Wortmann was going to start him against the MetroStars in the MLS opener Saturday night.

The first two years, Carlos Valderrama stole the MLS All-Star show on the field. On Sunday, he was the main topic of conversation off it. Major League Soccer commissioner Doug Logan said the Miami Fusion midfielder "is one of the players involved in a possible multiple player transaction." Logan would not confirm rumors that Valderrama would go to the Revolution in exchange for Joe-Max Moore, but he did say he expected a deal before Wednesday. Miami is said to be balking at accepting Dutch defender Richard Goulooze as the foreign player in the deal, preferring Trinidad midfielder David Nakhid.

Three New Britain Rock Cats and four Norwich Navigators were named to the Eastern League All-Star Game Northern Division roster Thursday. Infielder Danny Matienzo, outfielder Doug Deeds and lefthander Jason Miller were selected from the Rock Cats, while the Navigators will send righthanders Chris Begg and Merkin Valdez and outfielders Dan Ortmeier and Carlos Valderrama. The EL's All-Star Game is July 13 at 7 p.m. at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. "It's a great feeling to be selected," Matienzo said before the Rock Cats' 6-4 loss at Binghamton Thursday night.

Some of the world's best soccer players will compete at the Meadowlands today while simultaneously raising money for the FIFA Youth Fund. The showpiece matches a FIFA XI team, led by world player of the year George Weah of Liberia, against Brazil's Olympic team at 3 p.m. That follows Major League Soccer's All-Star game, which starts at 12:30 p.m. A sellout crowd of 76,000 is expected. Proceeds will benefit SOS Children's Villages, which cares for more than 200,000 disadvantaged children worldwide.

China, beaten by the U.S. women's soccer team three days earlier on an injury-time goal, returned the favor Sunday when Zhang Ouying ran onto a long pass and scored in the 93rd minute, giving China a 2-1 victory that ended the Americans'50- game home winning streak. The lightning-quick counterattack came a minute after Tisha Venturini nearly beat the Chinese for a second straight game, but her header was turned over the bar as referee Kari Seitz starting looking at her watch. China'ssecond victory over the Americans this year enhanced its status as a contender in the Women's World Cup. "They put a lot of pressure on us in midfield and our possession wasn't what it needed to be in the first half," U.S. coach Tony DiCicco said.

China, beaten by the U.S. women's soccer team three days earlier on an injury-time goal, returned the favor Sunday when Zhang Ouying ran onto a long pass and scored in the 93rd minute, giving China a 2-1 victory that ended the Americans'50- game home winning streak. The lightning-quick counterattack came a minute after Tisha Venturini nearly beat the Chinese for a second straight game, but her header was turned over the bar as referee Kari Seitz starting looking at her watch. China'ssecond victory over the Americans this year enhanced its status as a contender in the Women's World Cup. "They put a lot of pressure on us in midfield and our possession wasn't what it needed to be in the first half," U.S. coach Tony DiCicco said.

Bobby Rhine stood outside the Dallas dressing room Thursday night with his infectious smile, bubbling enthusiasm and the pure joy of being part of a professional soccer team. Rhine, however, wasn't going to start against Miami. Indeed, he probably won't start anytime soon for the Burn (2-2). In sharp contrast, Rhine's former UConn teammate Maurizio Rocha was in the Miami locker room preparing for his first MLS start. Through no fault of his own, he was replacing one of the world's great players, Carlos Valderrama, once again embroiled in a dispute with coach Ivo Wortmann.

Until Thursday afternoon, everything was going better than even the eternally optimistic Maurizio Rocha could have expected. He had turned pro because Major League Soccer expanded its Pro-40 select program to include college players who are not U.S. citizens. Pro-40 players do not count against MLS roster limits, all with the aim of developing them in the league and -- hopefully -- as future U.S. national team players. He played so well with the Miami Fusion in the preseason that coach Ivo Wortmann was going to start him against the MetroStars in the MLS opener Saturday night.

If the Miami Fusion complete their late summer revival and qualify for the Major League Soccer playoffs at the expense of New England and Tampa Bay, it will be logical to give much of the credit to the Colombian duo of Carlos Valderrama and Diego Serna. But the other Carlos on the Fusion, West Haven's Carlos Parra,is also in line for some accolades. He has been a major part of the resurgence since coach Ivo Wortmann took over in late July. "This is a young team with players who are willing to work for each other and sacrifice," said Parra, who finally has found a starting job in MLS after two seasons on the MetroStars bench.

The first two years, Carlos Valderrama stole the MLS All-Star show on the field. On Sunday, he was the main topic of conversation off it. Major League Soccer commissioner Doug Logan said the Miami Fusion midfielder "is one of the players involved in a possible multiple player transaction." Logan would not confirm rumors that Valderrama would go to the Revolution in exchange for Joe-Max Moore, but he did say he expected a deal before Wednesday. Miami is said to be balking at accepting Dutch defender Richard Goulooze as the foreign player in the deal, preferring Trinidad midfielder David Nakhid.

David Vaudreuil is a role player, the kind of professional who rarely collects headlines. Because he is a midfielder/defender, often assigned the task of shutting down one of the other side's top guns, his quiet labor is best appreciated by teammates and coaches. Then along comes a night like Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. Colombian international Carlos Valderrama was ejected after just 13 minutes, leaving the Miami Fusion with no central playmaker and rookie Leo Cullen at center back.

If the Miami Fusion complete their late summer revival and qualify for the Major League Soccer playoffs at the expense of New England and Tampa Bay, it will be logical to give much of the credit to the Colombian duo of Carlos Valderrama and Diego Serna. But the other Carlos on the Fusion, West Haven's Carlos Parra,is also in line for some accolades. He has been a major part of the resurgence since coach Ivo Wortmann took over in late July. "This is a young team with players who are willing to work for each other and sacrifice," said Parra, who finally has found a starting job in MLS after two seasons on the MetroStars bench.

There was the feel and sounds of a home game for the Colombian national soccer team Sunday at Yale Bowl. The Colombians had their own cheerleaders, who danced and circled the field. A band played to their supporters at halftime and most of the 25,236 cheered or waved yellow, blue and red Colombian flags. It seemed as though Colombia had Paraguay outnumbered on the field at times as well. But the Paraguayans found some answers and almost pulled off a victory before settling for a 1-1 tie in a friendly game.

There was the feel and sounds of a home game for the Colombian national soccer team Sunday at Yale Bowl. The Colombians had their own cheerleaders, who danced and circled the field. A band played to their supporters at halftime and most of the 25,236 cheered or waved yellow, blue and red Colombian flags. It seemed as though Colombia had Paraguay outnumbered on the field at times as well. But the Paraguayans found some answers and almost pulled off a victory before settling for a 1-1 tie in a friendly game.

Mexican star Jorge Campos started his evening with a terrific goal, then allowed four goals in 32 minutes as the Eastern Conference rallied to defeat the Western Conference 5-4 in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game at Giants Stadium Wednesday night. Campos, a World Cup goalkeeper who doubles as a striker, made the first half memorable with a goal in the 44th minute, but when he took over for Mark Dodd in the West goal with 32 minutes remaining, it was his turn to be on the wrong end. Giuseppe Galderisi, Robert Warzycha and Richie Williams beat Campos between the 63rd and 70th minutes, but it wasn't until Brian McBride scored with two minutes left that the game was decided.